{"id":804,"date":"2024-04-02T11:46:25","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T16:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/?p=804"},"modified":"2024-04-02T11:46:25","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T16:46:25","slug":"your-guide-to-data-security-compliance-for-modern-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/blog\/your-guide-to-data-security-compliance-for-modern-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to Data Security Compliance for Modern Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data is among the most valuable assets for businesses across any industry: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/blog\/cyberattack-prevention-checklist-for-financial-services-firms\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">financial offices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/blog\/why-law-firms-need-managed-it-support\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">law firms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, educational institutions, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/blog\/making-the-most-of-unified-communications-for-healthcare\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">healthcare<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/blog\/the-importance-of-data-backups-for-engineering-firms\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">engineering firms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, retail businesses \u2014 any sector\/niche\/industry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Organizations rely on data to drive decision-making and gain a competitive edge, from customer information to proprietary research. However, with cyber threats constantly at the forefront, maintaining your edge means complying with stringent regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One of your utmost priorities as a modern business should be <\/span><b>ensuring data security compliance. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Let\u2019s review what <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/blog\/it-compliance-balancing-security-with-the-ease-of-doing-business-webinar\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">data security compliance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What Is Data Security Compliance?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data security compliance refers to your organization&#8217;s measures and practices for protecting sensitive information and adhering to relevant industry regulations and standards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whether you\u2019re protecting personal data via protection laws like Europe\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/gdpr-info.eu\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, healthcare\u2019s HIPAA, or industry-specific mandates, compliance requirements vary depending on three factors:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your geographic location<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your industry sector<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The type of data you collect and process<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unfortunately, navigating the complex data security compliance landscape is often daunting for businesses. It becomes more intimidating as regulations evolve and become stricter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, your organization can develop robust compliance strategies to safeguard your data and mitigate regulatory risks effectively. It all starts with understanding fundamental principles and best practices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Let\u2019s review the steps you should take to ensure your business is data security-compliant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b>[Related: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/blog\/11-data-security-metrics-it-professionals-use-to-measure-network-defense\/\"><b>11 Data Security Metrics IT Professionals Use To Measure Network Defense<\/b><\/a><b>]<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1. Know Your Regulatory Landscape<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The first step in achieving data security compliance is understanding your business\u2019s regulatory landscape. For example, there are certain <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pro.bloomberglaw.com\/insights\/privacy\/state-privacy-legislation-tracker\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">states that enforce consumer data privacy laws<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2014 New York happens to be one of the twelve that do!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Then conduct a thorough assessment to identify other applicable regulations and industry standards. To know which ones are relevant to you, learn how your data is collected and where it&#8217;s stored and processed in your jurisdiction and industry sector.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re unsure how to do this, it\u2019s best to contact IT professionals like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CMIT Solutions of Rochester<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2014we\u2019re experts, after all!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2. Classify and Prioritize Data<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not all data is created equal \u2026 so not all data requires the same level of protection! (However, you should aim to protect all of your data, no matter its importance or scale.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Classify your data based on its sensitivity, value, and regulatory requirements to get started. Then, prioritize protecting <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cybersecurity.yale.edu\/data-classification#:~:text=Yale%20classifies%20data%20types%20as%20High%20Risk%20if%3A,card%20and%20bank%20account%20numbers.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">high-risk data<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> such as the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Personally identifiable information, like social security numbers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Financial records, like invoices<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Intellectual property, like patents<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ensure you comply with regulations relevant to your industry, especially those involving high-risk data.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3. Implement Security Controls<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deploy comprehensive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalguardian.com\/blog\/data-security-controls\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">security controls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to protect your data against unauthorized access, disclosure, and misuse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These security controls range greatly and may include multiple approaches:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Encryption<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Access controls<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Multi-factor authentication<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Network segmentation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regular security audits<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s also essential to ensure your security measures align with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b>[Related: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/blog\/11-data-security-metrics-it-professionals-use-to-measure-network-defense\/\"><b>11 Data Security Metrics IT Professionals Use to Measure Network Defense<\/b><\/a><b>]<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4. Establish Data Governance Policies<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Develop and enforce data governance policies that outline clear guidelines and procedures for each step:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data handling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Storage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Retention\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Disposal<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Implement robust data management processes to ensure compliance with regulatory mandates. These include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dataprivacymanager.net\/what-is-data-subject-access-request-dsar\/#:~:text=A%20Data%20Subject%20Access%20Request%20(DSAR)%20is%20directed%20to%20the,the%20lawfulness%20of%20the%20processing.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">data subject access requests (DSARs)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, consent management, and data breach notification requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here\u2019s a closer look at what these are and what they entail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">DSARs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">DSARs refer to requests that people make \u2014 known as data subjects \u2014 to access, review, and potentially receive copies of the personal data that an organization holds about them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">People typically make these requests under data protection laws like the GDPR or similar jurisdictional regulations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">DSARs empower people to exercise their rights to transparency and control over their data. They also allow people to understand how businesses process their data thoroughly and to ensure its accuracy and legality.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Consent Management<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Consent management involves the processes and mechanisms organizations implement to <\/span><b>obtain, record, track, and manage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> people\u2019s consent for collecting, using, and processing their personal data.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Under data protection regulations like GDPR, organizations must obtain explicit and informed consent from people before processing their personal data for any purpose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, all of this is very difficult to track manually, which is where <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/piwik.pro\/blog\/consent-management-platforms-comparison\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">consent management platforms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> come in. They help you keep your consent records up-to-date and organized and include key details including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When organizations obtained consent\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Why people gave consent<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Any subsequent changes or withdrawals of their personal consent<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data Breach Notification Requirements<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/DOC-398669A1.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data breach notification requirements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> mandate that organizations notify any \/all stakeholders whom a data breach affects (customers, regulatory authorities, etc.) as quickly as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The bottom line is that <\/span><b>people should know when unauthorized persons potentially access or share their data<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Data protection laws and regulations worldwide carry these requirements, including GDPR, HIPAA, and sector-specific areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Additionally, data breach notification laws typically set time frames by which organizations must notify affected parties. Those notifications also have to include further details:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The nature of the breach<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The type of compromised data<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Recommended steps for people to protect themselves from possible harm<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Complying with data breach notification requirements is critical to prevent breaches from having a more severe impact. They also help you avoid penalties and fines from regulatory authorities and ensure your business maintains trust with clients and partners!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Note. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Take a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itgovernanceusa.com\/data-breach-notification-laws\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">data breach laws by state<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> so you remain compliant wherever your business operates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">5. Conduct Regular Risk Assessments<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conduct regular risk assessments and vulnerability scans to stay proactive in identifying and mitigating data security risks. This is a must and helps you identify any weaknesses or gaps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Afterward, you can take corrective actions to strengthen your security posture and stay ahead of emerging threats. You can also adapt your risk management strategies accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">6. Provide Employee Training and Awareness<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s not news that humans are prone to making mistakes. Unfortunately, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/securitytoday.com\/articles\/2022\/07\/30\/just-why-are-so-many-cyber-breaches-due-to-human-error.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">human error is a leading cause of data breaches<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This makes it vital to educate your employees about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding data and complying with regulatory requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Offer <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/blog\/new-york-to-require-continuing-education-in-cybersecurity-for-lawyers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">comprehensive training programs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on data security best practices and privacy principles, even if you think your employees know them. Humans are also inherently forgetful, so it\u2019s critical that repetitive training is employed.\u00a0 <\/span><b>A good rule of thumb<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is to run quarterly training on rotation.\u00a0 That way, the key components will be perpetually top of mind and ready to use!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Additionally, consider distributing regulatory compliance classes or tests to your team. Fostering a culture of accountability throughout your organization encourages employees to perform responsibly. This responsibility is significant in protecting clients and maintaining data security compliance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">7. Monitor and Audit Compliance<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Establish straightforward, concrete ways to monitor and audit compliance with data security regulations and internal policies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Consider implementing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/stackify.com\/best-log-management-tools\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">logging and monitoring tools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to track data access and usage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These tools can also detect suspicious activities that spark potential security incident investigations. However, remember to conduct compliance audits and assessments as much as possible despite having these tools. Doing so will help you better adhere to regulatory requirements and avoid facing fines and other penalties.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">8. Stay Updated and Adaptive<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The data security regulatory landscape is constantly evolving, especially globally. This presents challenges for businesses that operate globally or engage in international trade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In July 2023, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.infosecurity-magazine.com\/opinions\/comply-changing-data-protection-1\/#:~:text=Global%20data%20privacy%20regulations%20are,enforcement%20in%20cross%2Dborder%20cases.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">European Commission strengthened the GDPR<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, ensuring more robust enforcement for cross-border data security compliance cases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stay informed about changes to regulations, industry standards, and emerging cybersecurity threats. Then, routinely update your compliance strategies and security controls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As a result, you can address those new challenges effectively and maintain compliance with shifting requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b>[Related: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/blog\/to-outsource-it-or-hire-in-house\/\"><b>To Outsource IT or Hire In-House<\/b><\/a><b>]<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Contact CMIT Solutions of Rochester<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Achieving data security compliance is multifaceted and requires a proactive approach. By staying informed and committing to best practices, your organization can confidently navigate its ins and outs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">But when you&#8217;re a busy company, keeping up with changing compliance rules while monitoring your data isn\u2019t always feasible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CMIT Solutions of Rochester<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> takes the work off your hands. Our skilled IT professionals are dedicated to making your company more secure with its data so your clients remain satisfied.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/contact-us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Contact us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> today to get started \u2014\u00a0we\u2019re ready when you are!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data is among the most valuable assets for businesses across any industry:&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":805,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-it"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=804"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/804\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/805"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/rochester-ny-1109\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}